Columbia, South Carolina – South Carolina running back Rahsul Faison has received an emergency waiver allowing him to participate in training camp, his attorney, Darren Heitner, announced on Friday afternoon. Faison was initially sidelined when the Gamecocks opened fall camp on Friday, despite head coach Shane Beamer having earlier stated that Faison was cleared to practice. With the waiver granted, Faison is now able to join his teammates on the practice field and fully engage in drills.
Faison, who transferred from Utah State, is still awaiting a final decision on his eligibility waiver. He had participated in spring practices and even appeared in a spring game but needed this waiver to continue in the fall. The Gamecocks are set for their second training camp practice on August 2.
Faison’s agent, Bryan Miller, is in close communication with the South Carolina football program while they await a ruling from the NCAA. Reports indicate that South Carolina has been thorough throughout this process, providing necessary information to support Faison’s situation. The former Marshall player has been working alongside the NCAA to provide any required information as well, making the process more manageable.
Faison began his collegiate career at Marshall after graduating high school in 2019. However, he never played for the Thundering Herd and later left the program. He attended online classes at Lackawanna College in 2020 and transferred to Snow College in 2021, where he did not play until the 2022 season before heading to Utah State.
His efforts to secure an extra year of eligibility gained attention after Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s recent legal victory over the NCAA concerning eligibility rules. Faison expressed some frustration but remains focused on football: “I’m just hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I’ve just been grinding. Staying locked in. That’s all I really can do.”
During the 2024 season with Utah State, Faison rushed for 1,109 yards with an impressive average of 5.6 yards per attempt and scored eight touchdowns. Additionally, he recorded 22 receptions for 99 yards. South Carolina views Faison as a critical addition to their backfield, especially with their existing scholarship running backs, including Bradley Dunn, Jawarn Howell, Matthew Fuller, and Oscar Adaway III.
Faison is known for his speed, clocking a 4.4-second 40-yard dash this spring, and is projected as a possible mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, hopes are high for Faison to make a significant impact on the field alongside quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
In recent comments, Coach Beamer conveyed optimism about a swift resolution from the NCAA, stating, “I wish we had an answer right now, but yeah, I’m optimistic that it’ll be sooner than later.”
